York County Food Bank hosts Christmas tree sale

Madalyn Yorgy, 5, of Red Lion checks out a tree, while little sister Kayla, 3, and their mother Rachel are at right. Christmas tree sales have been slow so far this year because of the Thanksgiving holiday coming so early, say operators of the sales lot at the Weis Market at Route 24 and Lombard Road in York Township. The York County Food Bank is selling trees again as one of the food agency s largest fundraisers of the year. Tree shoppers are also encouraged to donate food at the lot when purchasing trees. (Bil Bowden photo)

Brandon Canaan and his sons were looking for the perfect Christmas tree.

"We followed the signs and they led us here," said Canaan, 30, of Springettsbury Township.

He and his sons, Peyton, 8, and Brady, 4, were led to Glenn Olsen's Christmas tree sale and food drive at Lombard Road and Route 24 in Windsor Township.

The tree sale and nonperishable food and frozen turkey collection benefits the York County Food Bank. Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Sunday.

The Canaans chose a 7-foot Douglas fir tree that was tied onto the hood of his car for a ride home.

Peyton gave a thumbs up for the tree while eating a candy cane.

"I like the tree because it's green and it's small," he said.

Olsen and several volunteers are selling 1,500 trees with a goal of raising $3,000 for the food bank, compared to $1,500 in 2011. Olsen said he also hopes to collect more nonperishable food than last year's amount of a half-ton. Sixteen turkeys also were collected.

"We're set up by Weis (market), so we spend a lot of time trying to convince people to go in the store and buy some food to donate," Olsen said. "People can donate money to help a family (in need) buy a Christmas tree."

Besides Douglas fir trees, Olsen also is selling Frazier, concolor and Canaan firs. The tree price is $6 per foot, said Olsen, 62, of York Township.

Which tree? The Douglas firs are most popular because of their full and wide branches, while the concolors are starting to draw attention from people who like their tangerine scent, said Dan Johnson, a tree-selling volunteer.

The Frazier, with needles that are green on top and blue on the bottom, goes well with white lights, Olsen added. Canaan firs are similar to Frazier trees, but the needles are green, he said.

This is the 28th year Olsen is holding a tree-selling benefit for the food bank. The tree sale and food collection concludes at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

"I think everybody should have a passion for a nonprofit," he said. "I've been blessed by a lot of good things, and I want to continue to do this for the York County Food Bank."

Canaan said this is the first time his family purchased a tree from Olsen.

"It's great that we were able to get something for our family, knowing it will help other families, too." Canaan said.

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